The Fairfield City Council met last night for their first session of 2024.
Guidelines for the new Business Tax District dollars were discussed at length with several details proposed.
The dollars will be allocated in 3 separate areas:
New Project $200,000 in funding
Municipal Works $400,000 in funding
Facade Improvement $100,000
The fund balance is currently $680,000.
The dollars must be spent within the taxing district, with the Facade Improvement requiring a match of up to $10,000. Mayor Moore stated that the fund will require an application for funding and will be managed by the TIF Committee, with council approval required. The funding requests must be from a retail establishment, with residential properties excluded. Mayor Moore is requesting input on the guidelines from alderman and the public. The guidelines will be brought up for a vote at a future council meeting.
Michelle Smith with Kemper CPA presented the fiscal audit for the city with no discrepancies noted in the report.
Mayor Moore used the numbers from the audit to challenge the council to prepare for increasing revenues from the water distribution department since the gas and electric departments are subsidizing the water department. He quashed a Facebook suggestion that bankruptcy was an option, but did admit the city’s financial picture could be better. The city’s water engineer is preparing a rate study for future council presentation.
All bids were rejected for painting the west water tower. The item will be rebid in the future.
A discussion was held regarding parking problems in the 400 block of Sluder. The police department will be taking measurements to establish a no parking zone for the area in question.
Aldermen voiced their concern over the animals running loose in Fairfield, with one alderman asking what they were getting from the Humane Society for the $2,000 monthly fee. Mayor Moore agreed that loose animals were a problem and stated that he was waiting for action from the Wayne County Board on the issue before moving forward.
A TIF Agreement with Jim and Cindy McCleary was approved for $4,000. The money was used to install a new roof on the old Servicemaster building on East Delaware. The total project cost was $20,000. The TIF Committee had approved the amount.
The highlight of the meeting was the retirement recognition for longtime city employee, Loren Dunn. Mr. Dunn served the city for 50 years, working under 12 administrations. He began his duties on February 26, 1973. He was presented with a plaque of appreciation and received a standing ovation from those attending. Several of Dunn’s family members and city employees attended the ceremony.